Pesticides: MEPs want a drastic cut in use of chemical pesticides

In the text adopted with 47 votes to 37 and 2 abstentions, MEPs say that by 2030, the EU must reduce the use and risk of chemical plant protection products by at least 50% and the use of so-called “more hazardous products” by 65%, compared to the 2013-2017 average. The Commission proposed a 50% target for both based on the 2015-2017 average.

MEPs want each member state to adopt national targets and strategies, based on the substances sold per year, their hazard level and the size of their agricultural area. The Commission would then verify whether national targets need to be more ambitious to achieve EU 2030 targets.

In order to maximise the impact of national strategies, member states must also have in place crop-specific rules for at least those five crops where a reduction of the use of chemical pesticides would have the biggest impact.